Inspiration 221: Kumquat and Vintage Teal

Teal is my favorite color, I just can't get enough of it!  I went with a deep vintage teal for this board and paired it with fun, bright kumquat orange.  The bouquets in this board are all so gorgeous and I love the button detail on the cake!

sources:  Elizabeth Anne Designs (x2), Kinser Event Company, Kelly Oshiro Events, 100 Layer Cake, Design Sponge, Wedding Chicks

Inspiration 218: Raspberry and Green Apple

Raspberry pink has stolen my heart!  I love that it's so bright and cheerful without being over the top.  Raspberry pairs well with many colors but for this board I paired it with spring and apple green.  I feel this board has a slightly preppy feel.

sources:  Geoff White Photography, Stylish Soiree, JL Designs, The Knot

Strawberries and Mangoes and Avocados ...... (oh my!)

Here's exactly how I know it is officially Spring.

Strawberries, mangoes and avocados all go on sale at exactly the same time.     Crazy, right?

The obvious signs of Spring can be sprouting all around me, but it is not officially Spring until this happens.   Daylight savings, the obnoxious coat of yellow pollen, the ten foot black snake that appears on my walking trail, the frantic spring cleaning.  All great indicators, but they do not have the final say.

I know when it happens because every year I get excited that my favorites are all on sale and I buy too much.   And every year, without any sort of master plan, the first thing I always make is my special fruit salsa.

I am going to share it with you today, because I like you and I think you might like it.   It is about as non-recipe as you can get.    More a lesson in superior chopping skills.  

If there's any flaw here, it is in the fresh herbs.    Inevitably, by this time each year, I have procrastinated on planting my herb garden pots and have to give in to buying the ridiculously overpriced herbs in the plastic packaging with the dirt and roots.   I like to think there's some sort of wash rule in effect where the reduced price of the fruits cancels out the exhorbitant amount of money I spend on basil and cilantro.

What's with those packaged herbs anyway?   Is one suppose to plant these or just lop off the leaves?   (serious question.)

Strawberry, Mango and Avocado Fruit Salsa

Ingredients

5 - 10 strawberries, diced
1 mango, diced
1 avocado, diced
1/2 small red onion, diced
1 handful of fresh basil, chopped
1 handful of fresh cilantro, chopped
red wine vinegar
salt and pepper

Preparation

Add everything to a medium sized bowl and mix.    Add several generous splashes of red wine vinegar and salt and pepper to taste.  

Super easy and very fresh.   Everything good about spring in a colorful little fruit salsa.    If I don't end up eating it all with spoon, I like to serve it with grilled chicken.

What is your official sign of spring? 

Real Wedding: Beth & Jamie's Elegant Rustic Colorado Wedding

This wedding really portrays rustic elegance throughout all of the elements.  Their cake is simply beautiful and I love the current trend of the "bride" and "groom" signs on the back of the chairs at the reception.  Of course, the couple is totally adorable too!  Thanks to Christina Kiffney Photography for sharing this pretty wedding.

{Christina Kiffney via Two Bright Lights}

Inspiration 208: Charmingly Southern

I wanted to revisit the peach and navy color scheme but I wanted to do something a bit different.  So I went Southern with this board!  I also incorporated lots of fresh fruit elements and pretty peach bouquets.

sources:  Erin Hearts Court, Snippet & Ink, Style Me Pretty, Elizabeth Anne Designs, The Brides Cafe, Hugh Forte Photography